Yashica Shutter Speed Problem

[PatrickT]

I purchased a Yashica GX from a forum member not too long ago (which is a great camera I must say...I'm loving it).

I've noticed a problem with the camera that I can't quite figure out. To put it simply, I believe that below a certain EV value (unknown) the camera sets the shutter speed to something too-fast for what it should be.

When using the camera outdoors in good light, the camera exposes the images perfectly. Whether the lens is wide open or stopped down to f/16, the photographs come out perfectly exposed. I've noticed recently that when I take the camera into a situation where there is not as much available light (as in my house at night with the lights on), the camera will greatly underexpose the image. I have tested this with the meter on my dslr and also have found the negatives to not have any information on them when exposed in this kind of light. In this kind of light, there is never the audible "two click" shutter...opening and closing. It is always "one" click...indicating that it is firing at faster than 1/60 second-ish. However, when I take the camera outdoors to a higher EV setting and stop the lens down with slow film, the camera will fire the shutter to where I can hear the audible two clicks.

I hope I made clear what is happening....any idea what the problem is?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Patrick

 

[btgc]

I (and lots of other people) had similar issue with regular Electro. Find a scene with not so good light (darkened bathroom, finally) and release camera to have a refrerence for how long shutter sounds open. Then repeat it with same scene, just keep shutter release depressed and wait when shutter closes. If in latter case you get longer time, then on full-bodied Electro rod under shutter release had to be adjusted (after removing bottom cover) and that cured problem. Just idea, but I haven't worked on GX.

btw, what battery are you using?

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks for the reply, I'll try that! I am using the Yashica Guy's battery adapter for the GX...I can't remember the specific battery name off of the top of my head.

Anyway, I appreciate the help!

Patrick

 

[Frontman]

Hmm, it sounds like an unusual problem. The usual cause of erratic shutter operation is dried lubrication in the shutter mechanism. There are a couple of pivot points which must be properly lubricated for the shutter to operate with correct accuracy. Unfortunately, it is difficult to access these pivots on the GX. Also, the light meter cell and the diffuser ring in front of it can get dirty, which can cause exposure problems. These parts are a little easier to clean, but you need a lens wrench to remove the retainer ring, the nameplate on the front of the lens (and the diffuser ring) can be popped out with a small screwdriver or toothpick.

 

[LunoLuno]

Does your GX make a small buzzing sound when shooting in low lights? If it does, I think the problem could be dirty electrical contacts, either the contacts behind the shutter rod or the ones inside the aperture ring. My GL, which is said to have a very similar IC electrical circuit to the GX, had a similar symptom when I purchased it 2 years ago. Sometimes it fired OK and sometimes it didn't. And I found a webpage saying that that kind of symptom can be cured by cleaning electrical contancts in the camera. So, I tried it, and I never had that kind of problem again.

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks for the replies.

Frontman - I believe that the diffuser ring is missing on this camera. We're talking about the little ring that surrounds the light meter, yes? The seller should be sending me one soon, so I will try it out with it. Would this cause strange behavior in low light?

Luno - There is no buzzing sound. When I experience this problem, all there is is a "click" (that sounds like the regular shutter at a faster speed). The thing is, the camera operates consistently well in good light, and consistently bad in low light.

 

[Frontman]

If the ring were missing I doubt your camera would work well at all. The diffuser ring is a thin metal ring with a series of progressively-sized holes around part of it. The larger holes are for darker scenes, the smaller holes for bright ones. Replacing it is as simple as removing the name plate on the front of the lens and dropping it in. Just line up the rectangular slot on the pin so it turns as you turn the aperture ring. Make sure it is free of dust, even a small amount in the smaller holes can make a difference in your meter's readings.